Miss USA returns to Boston

For the first time since being crowned Miss USA, 20-year-old Boston University student Olivia Culpo returned to campus Thursday. The Cranston, R.I. native visited BU and other sites in Boston this week to help promote the upcoming Susan G. Komen Massachusetts Race for the Cure.
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Matt Rocheleau for Boston.com

Culpo said Thursday she is unsure whether she will return to the university after her year-long role as Miss USA.
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Matt Rocheleau for Boston.com

During her reign as Miss USA, Culpo serves as a spokeswoman for breast and ovarian cancer education.

Left: On a dreary Thursday afternoon outside Government Center, she wore her $300,000 diamond- and emerald-studded crown and joined an impromptu dance with a group of pink-wearing Race for the Cure supporters.
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Matt Rocheleau for Boston.com

She was hosted by New Balance during her recent visit. The Brighton-based shoe company contributed more than $1.2 million to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure last year.
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Matt Rocheleau for Boston.com

Culpo had never competed in a pageant before she tried out, “on a whim,” as she puts it, to become Miss Rhode Island. She won the state title last September, wearing a dress that cost $25, was too short and had a tear in the back. When she was crowned Miss USA on June 3, she became the first titleholder from her home state.
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Matt Rocheleau for Boston.com

She won the Miss USA title shortly after finishing her sophomore year at BU, which she said she did by traveling back and forth several times each week from Boston to Rhode Island to fulfill her duties as Miss Rhode Island.
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Matt Rocheleau for Boston.com

During her year as Miss USA, Culpo is travelling the country, appearing at various events and promoting charitable causes. In December, she will represent the United States in the Miss Universe pageant.
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Matt Rocheleau for Boston.com

On Thursday, she danced and posed for photos with people outside of Government Center, including a curious, young girl who was brought over to meet with Miss USA.
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Matt Rocheleau for Boston.com

The young girl momentarily stole the spotlight, but was hesitant to show off her dance moves.
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Nathan Fried-Lipski

During her visit to Boston, Miss USA attended the "Excellent Rocks Pink with Pride" fashion show at New Balance's retail store in Copley Square.

Left: Del's Lemonade, a favorite of Culpo and her home state of Rhode Island, served pink frozen lemonade treats to guests.
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At left: Olivia and WHDH's Sarah French, who emceed the event, chatted before the show.
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Nathan Fried-Lipski

Left: Culpo signs an autograph for a fan before the Lace Up for the Cure Fashion Show.
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Nathan Fried-Lipski

A three-time breast cancer survivor, Jacqui Anderson (left) kicks off the fashion in the Lace Up for the Cure collection by New Balance.
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Nathan Fried-Lipski

Ronni Cohen Boyar (left), executive director of Komen Massachusetts, Amy Shapiro (center), cause marketing manager for New Balance and Rob DeMartini, CEO and president of New Balance, catch up before the show.
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Nathan Fried-Lipski

An inspirational Peter Devereaux takes the runway in the New Balance Men's Cure Graphic Tee and Free Ryde Shorts.
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Nathan Fried-Lipski

Left: Miss USA Olivia Culpo wears a one-of-a-kind dress made by New York City-based fashion designer Jacqueline Quinn. The dress was created with materials from the New Balance 860v2 running shoe.
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Nathan Fried-Lipski

Miss USA Olivia Culpo, left, closes the show in the finale look created by fashion designer Jacqueline Quinn.
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